• Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
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  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Topic: Here's (one of) my pet peeve(s)

You go into a guitar shop and they have guitars behind the counter and you have to ask to look at them and then they pull it out and hold it up for you to see it and then play it for you.  I want to hold the thing in my own two hands and play the thing with my own two hands.  This guitar shop in particular will let you play, but they watch you like a hawk, which is not a comfortable environment in which to test guitars.  I don't know what they think folks are going to do to their guitars, but it's uncomfortable being treated as an imbecile before demonstrating my imbecilic capacity. 

Same outlet has another store where they are totally different.  They do want to know who is going in and out of the acoustic room, but once they talk to you about what you want they'll let you in the room, give you some suggestions of which guitars may fit your need, and then they leave you alone to play as you please for as long as you please.  I like that. 

Anyway.  If anyone here works at a guitar shop and can explain why a shop would treat every customer as if he were a guitar vandal, I'd like to hear it. 

- Zurf

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • From: Tooele Ut
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 4,049

Re: Here's (one of) my pet peeve(s)

There is absolutely no excuse for a shop to treat customers like that.  Di\o they want to sell instruments or oiss people off.  Makes me want to protest in front of their store.  Who is with me?  We'll make ugly signs and walk back and forth in front of the store.  You know, I have been thinking for months about starting a thread on pet peeves..  It's ironic.

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.
  • wlbaye
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  • From: Black Hills So Dak
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,284

Re: Here's (one of) my pet peeve(s)

I don't get it either Zurf,

The store we have in our town is the best at letting you try anything you like and I always make sure I don't have a jacket or belt buckle to scratch their guitars. I never use a pick when I am trying out a guitar either. I go there alot and they are good to everyone as far as trying guitars.

A town close to us though is the exact oppisite I took a guitar down and strummed it without asking and I thought I was going to jail. I have been there a couple times since but I just look at the used stuff and don't ask to play anything. I don't need some one standing hovering over me like a butterfly while I am playing. It kinda makes you feel like you have done something wrong and you feel kinda dirty, I don't need it smile

Later, Wayne P

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  • From: Madeira Beach, Florida
  • Registered: 2007-12-05
  • Posts: 3,312

Re: Here's (one of) my pet peeve(s)

Zurf - Maybe you want to consider your personal presentation? A long haired hippy feller like yourself walks into my store, I may want to keep eye on him. lol

Rule No. 1 - If it sounds good - it is good!
  • wlbaye
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  • From: Black Hills So Dak
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
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Re: Here's (one of) my pet peeve(s)

I think you're on to something there Tops,

I have noticed folks seem to treat me with more respect since I lost my mullet lol

Later, Wayne P

wlbaye's Website

  • From: Tooele Ut
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 4,049

Re: Here's (one of) my pet peeve(s)

I guess I have to agree with you guys.  That Zurf is a pretty shady looking character. smile

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.
  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
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  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: Here's (one of) my pet peeve(s)

That must be it. 

Actually, because I usually drop by there on my way home from work, I'm probably suspicious for being too well dressed.  They look at me and think "hmmmm, his beard is recently trimmed, no tattoos, wearing a jacket and tie, this guy can't be a REAL musician.  He must be looking for kindling."

- Zurf

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • Registered: 2007-03-24
  • Posts: 1,108

Re: Here's (one of) my pet peeve(s)

in the end the shop that behaves that way loses my business...but in their defense, when you go to a chain store the same cast of characters are always there and they never buy anything..ever. I've sat for an hour waiting to try a particular guitar that a salesman recommended only to be thwarted by the semi-pro doing his acoustic debut concert for free in the jam room!!!!! As a former sales guy I can see how that would be frustrating. I guess it's the shop that finds reasonable access to guitars that gets my business.

I hate the chains anyhow! The local guys are usually pretty good at qualifying who's buying and who's just trying. I never go anywhere until I'm in the market and ready to purchase

I used to be disgusted; now I try to be amused.
Elvis Costello
  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
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  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: Here's (one of) my pet peeve(s)

They're a good shop.  It's just this one habit of theirs that peeves me.

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • From: NY
  • Registered: 2009-08-26
  • Posts: 4,320

Re: Here's (one of) my pet peeve(s)

when you go to a chain store the same cast of characters are always there and they never buy anything..ever. I've sat for an hour waiting to try a particular guitar that a salesman recommended only to be thwarted by the semi-pro doing his acoustic debut concert for free in the jam room!!!!!

Not only that... but they pull up a chair in a large corner of the room so that you can't even GET to half the guitars in the room.  Grrrrrr!

There's a shop around here that watches people like a hawk, you MUST ask to see any of their guitars but they will let you and then leave you be a little... but I do feel like a little kid having to ask pretty please if I could possibly touch the guitar... I don't blame em tho... it's a small shop w/o much room and not in the best of areas with a pawn shop next door.  I wouldn't go into a shop that would be so snooty to not allow me to touch the guitar even if I asked nice the way my daddy taught me, "Please sir, may I?  PLEASE?????".

Art and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder.
What constitutes excellent music is in the ears of the listener.

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